Bartlesville mom LaTori Carter said she considers her helping with the Bruins basketball team to be an extension of a family tradition.

“I love helping out because I love working with children and seeing them be successful,” Carter said. “I love being involved in my boys’ activities and supporting the youth of our school. Basketball has always been a family tradition with us. I played when I was younger, and I know the hard work and dedication these kids put in for the sport they love. The least we can do as parents is try to support them.”

Carter, who teaches at Hoover Elementary, said she’s helped out with the Bruin Classic over the years, gives rides home to players, and in general helps wherever she’s needed.

“I feel like it’s important to help out when you can because the coaches already do so much for the players and the team,” she said. “Some of them work other jobs outside of the school system, so it’s helpful when parents are able to be involved and provide that support to the coaches and players.”

Carter has two sons, senior Jordan Carter, and eighth grader Skylar Carter, who play basketball for the Bruins. She said spending time with them is what she enjoys most.

“In my free time, I enjoy just spending time with my boys,” she said. “We have movie nights, go to dinner, and just last night we were outside playing basketball. I like to show them mom still has some skills.”